Soft Materials

EPFL’s School of Engineering is at the cutting edge of research in soft materials, driving innovations that span a wide range of applications from flexible electronics to biomedical devices. Our interdisciplinary teams are dedicated to exploring and developing novel soft materials that combine unique mechanical properties with advanced functionalities.

Learn more about soft materials

Soft materials research at EPFL’s School of Engineering focuses on developing innovative materials that combine flexibility, durability, and advanced functionalities for various applications.

Our experts

Our experts specialize in the design, synthesis, and characterization of soft materials, including polymers, hydrogels, and elastomers. Their work is crucial in advancing technologies such as wearable sensors, soft robotics, and tissue engineering.

Our laboratories

Our state-of-the-art laboratories are equipped to conduct pioneering research in soft materials. These facilities enable high-precision fabrication, detailed mechanical testing, and in-depth material analysis, facilitating the transformation of innovative concepts into real-world applications.

Our spinoffs

Explore the forefront of innovation through our dynamic startups focused on soft materials. These ventures, nurtured within EPFL’s ecosystem, are developing groundbreaking applications that range from medical devices to flexible electronics.

Education

Discover unparalleled opportunities for education, research, and hands-on experience in soft materials at the School of Engineering. Join the next generation of pioneers and contribute to a world where advanced soft materials enable new technologies and improve lives.

NEWS

Stay informed with the latest news and breakthroughs in soft materials from EPFL’s School of Engineering. Our researchers are pioneering advancements in flexible electronics, biomedical devices, and other innovative applications. Explore our news section to learn about the cutting-edge research shaping the future of soft materials science and technology.

SMX director Fabien Sorin and professor Anna Fontcuberta i Morral © Titouan Veuillet

Materials Science Section celebrates 50 years

— The Materials Science Section (SMX) in the School of Engineering celebrated its 50th birthday last Thursday with an event highlighting the history and future of materials research and education at EPFL.

Andras Kis, Edoardo Charbon, and Tobias Kippenberg © 2024 EPFL

Three STI professors win ERC Synergy Grants

— The European Research Council announced on Tuesday that professors Andras Kis, Edoardo Charbon, and Tobias Kippenberg of the EPFL School of Engineering (STI) have been awarded ERC Synergy Grants to tackle major scientific challenges.

The 2024 edition of the E3 program © EPFL

Apply to the E3 EPFL Excellence in Engineering Program 2025

— Are you interested in joining EPFL for an unforgettable research experience this summer? You can now register for the 2025 edition of E3! The application deadline is November 1st, 2024.

© Alain Herzog

Eight PhD students receive STI Teaching Assistant Awards

— Eight engineering PhD students have been selected to receive a School of Engineering (STI) Teaching Assistant Award for their outstanding commitment to education in EPFL bachelor and master courses during the spring 2024 semester.

Stella Laperrousaz at the MT180 finals at the University of Fribourg © CUSO

“There is a bit of materials science in everything”

— EPFL PhD student Stella Laperrousaz’s crowd-pleasing comparison of her research on electronic fibers to one of Switzerland’s most famous exports won her the audience prize at the My Thesis in 180 Seconds Competition Switzerland 2024.

All news

VIDEOS

Watch our videos to gain insights from EPFL’s leading researchers in soft materials. Discover the latest advancements in flexible electronics, biomedical devices, and other groundbreaking applications. Join us as we delve into the science and technology driving innovation in soft materials and see how our work is shaping the future.

Artificial skin could help rehabilitation and enhance virtual reality

EPFL is developing next-generation hearing implants

A miniature stretchable pump for the next generation of soft robots

Stretchable electronics that quadruple in length

Robotics Research 2020

Deployable electrodes for minimally invasive craniosurgery

Technology that makes it feel like you’re touching virtual objects

A haptic device to reproduce softness

An ink for 3D-printing flexible devices without mechanical joints

Material may offer cheaper alternative to smart windows

PIXE Open Doors – April 2019

3D-printed insoles measure sole pressure directly in the shoe

Amputee Feels in Real-Time with Bionic Hand